US tennis star feels some people don’t want Black players to succeed in USA
It was supposed to be an ideal week for tennis, a chance to be the first-ever African-American to win a major.
From the moment Serena Williams emerged onto Centre Court as the top seed at the U.S Open on Sunday, she had become the game’s biggest star. There was hope everywhere.
“My heart was racing. I felt that just by watching me play against other girls,” she said after her win. “I just didn’t want it to end.”
But as Williams went about her business on Monday, she noticed something had changed.
The tennis community was not in support of her, and some players on the other side of the net decided to voice their opinions about Williams.
It was shocking to both players: Williams, the world’s best player, and Williams, who took the U.S. Open by storm.
Williams has been heralded as a champion; Williams has been met with criticism.
Williams had the support of the tennis world and, most importantly, her fans. She received a standing ovation on court after her emotional win over Victoria Azarenka.
But as Williams was about to leave the court, she was approached by one woman, who told her, “You’re not African-American, you’re not a black player.”
“I did feel people don’t like me because I am black and I am this way,” Williams said. “I went to my team and I said, ‘You know, I’m black, I’m big, I’m the best player in the world.’ But they were like, ‘You’re not black, you’re not a black player; go away.’ I’m not a part of the black community.”
Williams had to make her way to the locker room